China has released a comprehensive Concept Paper on the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), presenting a blueprint to reform international institutions and strengthen global cooperation amid rising geopolitical turbulence.
The release comes as the world prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations in 2025. Beijing argues that the current international order is facing increasing instability, with multilateralism under strain and a growing deficit in global governance.
According to the Concept Paper, the existing system suffers from three major deficiencies:
- Serious underrepresentation of the Global South, with emerging markets and developing countries lacking fair representation in decision-making despite their growing role.
- Erosion of authority, with violations of the UN Charter, unilateral sanctions, and disregard for Security Council resolutions undermining international law and order.
- Lack of effectiveness, as the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development lags and new governance gaps emerge in areas such as climate change, artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and outer space.
Presented as China’s response to these challenges, Beijing states that the GGI aims to create a system that is more just, equitable, and effective, based on the principles of sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centred development, and results-oriented action.
“As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the largest developing country, China has consistently been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a provider of public goods,” asserts the document.
The Concept Paper, unveiled shortly after President Xi Jinping proposed the GGI at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, outlines five core principles designed to reshape global governance. These include sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach, and a focus on tangible results.
Crucially, the Concept Paper reiterates that reforming global governance does not entail overturning the existing international system.
“The goal is to make the existing international system and international institutions better at taking actions, working effectively, adapting to changes, responding promptly and effectively to various global challenges, and serving the interests of all countries, particularly developing ones,” the paper states.
It further stresses that all nations, regardless of size or wealth, should have an equal voice in shaping global decisions. The document calls for reforms to rectify the underrepresentation of the Global South, uphold the authority of the UN Charter, and enhance effectiveness in addressing urgent challenges such as climate change, debt, artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and outer space.
Building on China’s earlier policy initiatives, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), the GGI specifically focuses on the principles, direction, and pathways for reforming global governance. Beijing says that these four initiatives collectively provide “positive energy for a turbulent world” and momentum for humanity’s progress.
The Concept Paper also reaffirms China’s support for the United Nations as the core platform for multilateralism and pledges to work with all parties to implement the forthcoming Pact for the Future. It notes that priority will be given to governance areas “in urgent need and scant supply,” including financial reform, renewable energy, climate response, and technology standards.
“No matter how the international landscape changes, China will remain firm in safeguarding the international system with the U.N. at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, stand firmly on the right side of history, and join hands with all progressive forces in the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity and make relentless efforts for mankind’s noble cause of peace and development,” the paper states.
“We will leverage the platforms provided by the UN, relevant international organizations, and regional and subregional multilateral institutions to take active actions with all parties and contribute our thoughts and energy to reforming and improving global governance,” the document adds.
At the SCO Summit, President Xi Jinping framed the initiative as part of a broader vision to build a “community with a shared future for humanity.” He cautioned that unilateralism, double standards, and power politics undermine global fairness and urged major countries to take the lead in upholding international law.
China believes that the GGI addresses current governance gaps and serves as a framework for future challenges, aiming to establish a global order that is more just, equitable, and results-oriented.
“Humanity has become a closely intertwined community with a shared future. Enhancing global governance is the right choice for the international community to share development opportunities and address global challenges. China will strengthen joint efforts with all parties to explore ways to reform and improve global governance, opening up a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress,” it stated.
The proposal has already drawn international attention. UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the initiative’s emphasis on multilateralism and the UN’s centrality, while Russian President Vladimir Putin described it as “timely and necessary.” Leaders from Pakistan, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have also expressed support.
